Previews: Gourcuff doubtful for Bordeaux
PARIS - Brief news from Ligue 1 before before this weekend's matches as Bordeaux face Valenciennes, Lyon visit Grenoble and Monaco travel to Auxerre.
Champions and leaders Girondins Bordeaux could be without Yoann Gourcuff when they entertain Valenciennes on Saturday.
"I am slightly worried," Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc told reporters when asked about the fitness of his playmaker, who was substituted with a groin injury late in France's controversial 1-1 draw with Ireland in the return of their World Cup play-off on Wednesday.
Second-placed Olympique Lyon, visiting bottom club Grenoble on Saturday, will miss France midfielder Jeremy Toulalan, sidelined by a groin injury, and defender Aly Cissokho, who is suspended.
Monaco, visiting Auxerre on Saturday, will be without arguably their best player in Brazilian midfielder Nene, nursing a thigh muscle injury.
Auxerre midfielder and captain Benoit Pedretti is a doubtful starter for that game because of a sprained left ankle.
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Montpellier president Louis Nicollin said he would not appeal against a two-month ban imposed on him by the French Football Federation (FFF) for a threatening outburst that included a homophobic slur aimed at Pedretti.
Sixth-placed Montpellier entertain Lille on Sunday.
Strugglers Le Mans will have to do without Brazilian defender Geder, serving a three-match ban, when they visit Stade Rennes on Saturday.
Stade Rennes coach Frederic Antonetti believes midfielder Yann M'Vila, 19, is good enough to play for France.
"He's exceptional for his age," Antonetti told French sports daily L'Equipe about his promising player. "He could even go to the World Cup."
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